Incidentally it was used here for a while in the late eighties, early nineties - mostly for oak-aged styles but sometimes not (which was confusing), but the use of Fumé Blanc has phased itself out in NZ because Sauvignon Blanc is the hero and to the uneducated, Fumé Blanc is a different grape.

Testy old woman! Can't answer that, Sue. I can tell you about the specific wine -- 50% stainless steel, 50% 3-year-old French oak. Oak is definitely not a significant player here. I usually find no favor with oaked SBs.